Stop Using the Same Password
When was the last time you updated your passwords? Is your password for Facebook the same password you use for your online banking and credit cards? You can probably see why this is a problem. One wrong click on a phishing email or another data breach from a company like Equifax, Capital One, Marriott or the countless others means your password is at a constant risk.
With the sheer number of accounts that you likely have, using a different password for each one sounds virtually impossible. You could try writing them all down in a notebook or sticky notes, but finding the right password and keeping your lists updated is tedious and ultimately isn’t that secure either.
What is a Password Manager?
A password manager is designed to keep all of your unique passwords in one secure place, allowing you to access your passwords on any of your devices with one master password. The passwords stay fully encrypted and safe from hackers and the password manager can help you identify weak passwords or passwords that may be compromised. The password managers will also randomly generate and save strong and unique passwords for you when you sign up for a new account.
It may seem a little scary to keep all of your passwords in one place. What if someone gets my master password? Tech Crunch agrees that “it’s a reasonable and rational fear. But assuming that you’ve chosen a strong and unique, but rememberable, master password that you’ve not used anywhere else is a near-perfect way to protect the rest of your passwords from improper access.”
What Password Manager Should I Use?
Luckily, you have a lot of really good options to choose from. Two of the most popular choices are 1Password and LastPass. Both provide excellent security for your passwords to help keep your personal data safe from hackers and data breaches. Tech.co provides a great overview of the features of the most reputable password managers you can find.
